Everybody, as is usual on this first day of spring, is wearing either daffodils or leeks - I
find the latter quite revolting, and although daffodils are quite nice, I know several more
pleasant flowers.

Linda (the film, not the flesh) arrived today - they certainly send it a long time in
advance!

Double Pad, and, typically, he was wearing a daffodil.
At least Pen does not wear one - I think it is just
as well for his reputation. Anyway, so it was, and Pad
had a dirty great yellow thing sticking out of his chest - it was quite a fine example, I
must admit.

Barrie Evans [a typical Welsh name] was also wearing a daffodil, and carrying a spare
one around. I suspect, along with the rest of the form, that it was in case he made some
new convert. Went in and demanded to see the one
that Clod was wearing, in chemistry.

Double study, and did a lot of maths, and then checked in my Pentax file for various
things.

After lunch, nothing in particular to do, apart from the fact that it was my turn to tidy up
the Sheldon room, and so spent all of rest in there, and left the place tidier than do most
people.

After that, no pioneers, and I had intended to do some contact prints in
the Pad lab, but decided 'twould be just as well not to,
and, after having a look at the leader of “Linda”, went down to the tuckshop and bought some
stuff, and got Ma Smith to deposit some money for me, and then over to the changing room to
wash my hair while having a shower, the latter process occupying a good 15 minutes. I then
ended up in an argument about which was cleaner - baths or shower. Strange as it may seem,
the former was generally agreed to be cleaner. I shall have to go into the maths of it.

After that, Brown came up to me, and said something about going to a concert tonight, and so
I accepted. Then off to double maths, in which we did little other than revise papers, and
see how to do them, and so on. After a while, however, onto impulses, etc.

After that over to see Skiv, and got an exeat signed for
the Dentists, and Brown got me to get the exeat tonight signed while I was at it.

Then early makan, singing outside the chapel during the hymn, and off to the concert. Very
good, and I met, rather to my pleasure, Drax's
daughter. But I wonder what Drax will do when he gets
no prep from me.

Several adverse comments this week about the fact that I always get the AP in breakfast. I shall obviously have to
do something about it. But then, people like Randall are always complaining about something
or another - I wonder how they would fare in
an utopia (or would the existence of an
utopia automatically preclude their existence?).

After assembly, in which Pen said something about us
having to give up 2nd prep for some educational research creativity thing, off to the study
room to catch up on last night's prep, and at any rate got the maths done, but not,
unfortunately, the mechanics.

TGW still going on about the mechanics of saving
and investment. It is amazing what tough going some people find this. What if is to be
able to think mathematically!

Maths, and was, at any rate able to produce my maths finished. I am still worried about
A level.

Chemistry, and Clod went on with his notes. I have a
sneaking suspicion that these are also not on the syllabus.

Choir practice as ever after lunch, and a new anthem
by Vaughan-Williams, which is
rather nice: “Oh taste and
see how gracious the Lord is”. I wonder what we will make of it.

Then free day, and had nothing in particular to do, so did some music practice for a while,
and got various odd things in order. One of these days I must get down to getting all my
negatives contact printed - I wonder when I will be able to do it?

Then to the gym, to see Professor Sanders, the fencing man, who kept me waiting about 20
minutes, and then wanted to know if I could lend him my 28
mm Super-Takumar (which I do not
feel very happy about).

Then to see Paul, and tell him about the
happenings, and then decided to go down town, as there were several things we needed to get.

Set out accordingly after roll call, and first of all down to Grays, where the sale is still
on, but no 35 mm colour films going cheap, and so off again without buying anything more
than some Agfa CN1111, and sold Cookson a
couple of EX 126-20's for 14/9
odd.

Then Paul bought a folder for keeping negatives
is, and got some my refills for my little black (looseleaf) book.

Creativity tests, which were rather interesting, and we all seem to be little more than
numbers - has no further effect on us.

Information from Kodak today, and they even apologised for the delay. This is very good of
them. They also said, rather to my surprise, that Eastmancolor could be developed in
C22, and also said that
they would supply CPST55 in 100 ft lengths. Quite interesting, but it costs a packet.

Mechanics, and I was rather afraid that Drax would be
annoyed me for not doing my mechanics, but not a bit of it - perhaps his daughter put in a
good word for me. In any case, it is fortunate.

Then study period, in which I considered
with Simon the Pentax S3 with
f/2,2 Takumar that I had sent off for for
£5 last night. Then over to do the physics problems.

After that, lecture, and on about supply and demand and an interesting pair of curves, which
were apparently some form
of simultaneous equation.

Then double Pad after break, and he came in very late and
advised me to get on with the stuff for S level at the end of the book. I
must do a bit of work for S
level.

Wind band after lunch, and we have some new music -
3 Brahmshungarian dances,
including that famous one to
which Allan Sherman sings
“Hungarian goulasch”. Very difficult parts, although that was the easiest.

Then generally tidied myself up, and over to Stoneleigh and had a shower, and then
clarinet lesson, which was
pretty hilarious, and I had a couple of bets
with Gerard - the first about which number in
the Uhl was set for grade VI, and the
second on whether I had got his face in a photo which I took of him. I am pretty confident
on both scores.

Then over to the school for tea, and considered my bets with David.

Back over to Stoneleigh for a faggot lesson. I must in future just stay over there. It is much easier.

Checked with Mr. Fawcett, and he confirmed that I
had won my bet on the Uhl. Now all I have to do is develop the film.

Double maths, and Jimmy gave us a surprise
applied maths test, which I thought rather nasty, especially as it was very tough, and a
full 1¼ hours of it.

Then chapel, etc, and took my camera in to the annoyance of many. I don't know why people
get so worried about all these things.

Oh, to be able to get some work done. One can never get down to work in a limited time.

No mail, damn it. I wish it would come earlier, too. Today Popular Photography for next month arrived, rather
early. I see the price has gone up to 60 ¢. I wonder if they will shorten the
subscription.

Double chemistry, and Clod came in with some stuff
about free energy, etc,
from his friend the Professor
of Physical chemistry
at Keele university. It
apparently depressed him, for he stopped giving us notes on it, although he told me
privately that he thought it would be of use for 'S' level and university
scholarships, etc. Ah well, The rest of this year will mean a lot of work for me.

Then mechanics, and Drax was
dragging differential
equations into it. I am pleased to note that other people also find it difficult.

After break, saw Skiv, and got a chit from him to work
late, which is a blessing. I shall be able to do some work at last.

Diffraction haloes in physics, and the measurement thereof. Have to find the size
of lycopodium particles.

After lunch, had some fun up in the Sheldon room messing around with a couch which could be
turned into a bed. Took myriads of photos, and into the darkroom to develop them, and just
about everything possible went wrong. don't know how it came out.

Then down for a dental appointment, and had quite a long wait before anything happened.
Dr. Phillips was quite amazed at the amount of stain on my teeth, and implied that I did not
clean them enough. Sun shining right into my face through the window - one of the rare days
when it did shine.

Met Tim Russell in Grays while buying some copper intensifier and Promicrol. When I made up some excuse for being late back he made no comment.

Intensified the negatives, which then became quite printable, but I shall probably have to
use hard paper.

Then physics again. There is surely nothing more difficult than to try to give a plate of
glass an even coating of lycopodium.
We spent one hell of a time trying to. Anyway, we got our haloes, and made some very crude
measurements, and decided to pool our results
with Simon and Lewis, and fiddle them anyway.

Then over to Stoneleigh, and had a shower (I want to have at least one every day), and up to
do oodles of maths prep. At least I had plenty of time to do it in, and actually got it all
done.

Iolanthe seems to be upon us
already - Big School is out of bounds, and so we have common room lineups outside for meals.

After breakfast, when once again the mail was late, but, for me fruitless, up to the Sheldon
room to consider my many sins. Saw Richard Rosser later, and he threatened to put up a
poster for “Linda”, which I shall let him do.

Then double maths. I feel rather pleased with myself for being able to hand in 2 completed
preps, all my own work. But why? Should I not always be capable of doing them?

We are still revising
- Maclaurin's
theorem, and the onto more specialised series and so on. Some of them are quite
interesting.

Art lecture, in Big School, and up the back, where they had all the seats out for Iolanthe.

Sun was out in break, so our cameras were as well. I am lately taking a lot of photos of
photography in practice.

Chemistry. Did little, although Clod was going on about
the Phase rule. I think he is
revising.

No english - and use of English [exam] on Thursday. I wonder what will happen.

After lunch, up to the Sheldon room, and there stayed for a while, but eventually decided
that I would have to turn up for pioneers, and did so, though, as usual, I did very little
work. Spent a good deal of time taking photos, and thanks
to Paul going past, I managed to get hold of my
teleconverter.

Knocked off at about 1500 hrs, but spent a good deal of time having a shower in the changing
room, and so ended up going into the common room not much before the others, who had gone on
a walk.

Stepped outside the common room, and nearly bumped
into Paul Hallett, or rather my 400 mm
Soligor on the end of his
camera. Examined the former at length (well, it is, after all, long!), and in the end
decided that it was of the same construction as the 500 mm f/5 Takumar: [drawing of
a doublet]. Oh well. It
gives good results, anyway.

I don't recall any image at all that I would now (2017) consider “good”. Maybe I'll
find one.

Then to tea, both of us in the Carpenter, and then up to load a VP126 for Cookson iii, and then to Roll Call.

Up after roll call, when Pearson and Chandler thought they had the booking (in fact Bray iii
had it, but did not turn up), and developed the film, and then out and hung around, alone
with my thoughts for a while.

Prep, and spent the first half in the science library, and then down for a choir practice,
which had been cancelled.

“Linda” after supper. Very good indeed - all were enthusiastic, and we will have to show it
again tomorrow. Fire practice at 2206 hrs.

Ah, the depression of it all. I am not making the best possible use of my time, that is for
sure. As soon as Sunday comes, I start moping because Monday is just round the corner.

After breakfast, the sun was shining, and so
got Paul from his dormitory, and asked him to
take a few photos, and got my faggott as a prop, and took some rather interesting photos with that - various people
came around and made comments about it. The chaplain asked me if I had a license for
it. TDH looked pained. Discovered I was
being observed from afar by Allen with his
telescope, and went in and had a few words with him.

Then chapel, which was as any communion service
in Lent, and enjoyed ourselves (or I did,
anyway, processing to the Lent
prose.

Outside again, and the sun was no longer showing, but nevertheless out and started
experimenting on a hunch I had had (in fact, some calculations I had made), and proved
myself right by making a 1500 mm f/70 odd lens out of my 105 mm Tessar and 3× teleconverter. It would be of
use if I could get a really wide aperture long back-focus lens to do it with.

I no longer have any idea what I did. Pity I didn't give more detail.

After lunch, printed some photocopy work onto 6½ × 8½ [inches, i.e. 16.6 × 21.6 cm]
Agfa BEH 111 (grade 6), which is really excellent stuff for the job. I must, some time, buy
large quantities of the stuff. Also did some Kodalith work, which is no longer as difficult
as it was last summer - the Wratten 2 filter is very useful, if only to me.

Then off to see Gerard, and took a contact strip
with me to prove that I got a photo of him, and when I finally got there, discovered that he
was in Big School in the orchestra for “Iolanthe”. Went back again, and in and up to the darkroom, although it was only 1500
hrs. Did quite a few contact prints, which should come in useful in my filing system when I
finally get it started.

Allen came up round about tea time and helped
me. At any rate he is a little more competent than Aston.

Up after roll call, and Allen wanted a
multitude of things done. First he wanted some film loaded into cassettes, which did not
take me long, but he wanted to do it himself, and in the end I had to do it for him anyway.

Then developed a VP127 for him - I am getting very rapidly used to working with a Wratten 3 safelight
- I suppose by necessity, for I do nearly all my 127s thus.

Then to the Sheldon room for a while, and down to post a letter. Aston turned up and got me
to dish develop a PX, which he had exposed at 250 [ASA]. OK in D163.

After supper, Linda again. It was just as good this time, if not better. It moves me
profoundly.

Why no mail? I was expecting quite a bit this morning, and it really depressed me when none
came. I am not feeling at all happy lately anyway, and all I want
is Lesley (or, I suppose, more likely, women
in general). Did a bit of music practice before mechanics - all the slow movements I could
find which were playable on the recorder.

Mechanics, and Drax gave us a test, for which I was in
no mood, and which I attacked (at the risk of making a pun) mechanically, without more than
the bare minimum of thought.

Double chemistry, and more mechanics, this time of reactions, and
various differential
equations of the first order and varying degree, which puzzled Lewis somewhat.

Then, after break, double maths and, perhaps
fortunately, Jimmy had not marked our surprise
test which he gave us on Thursday.

Maths for science, and in that we did little - this revision is becoming just a little
boring.

After lunch, over to the changing room to have a shower, and write a letter
to Lesley. The former took me quite some
time, and then upstairs with clean clothes on, and wrote
to Lesley with Ng's typewriter, which has an
exceptionally puzzling and rather confusing action. Still, it works, and that is all that
really matters.

Then downstairs, and bumped into Archie Rollinson, who was pestering me for a cassette to
put some FP3 in, and thus up to the darkroom, where I also wanted to load myself some Mark-V, which I did. Oni then came up to me with a Plus X which I thought was Pan
F, and asked me to develop it. Went ahead as normal, and developed it for normally
exposed Pan
F, and it came out quite well. In fact, it was not
until Paul drew it to my attention that I
noticed it was Plus X.

After that, to tea, and got permission from Ben Sykes to do some photography for “Iolanthe” this evening - our chief aim is
to outdo Choem [? illegible], who is official photographer.

Out into the War memorial quadrangle, where we sat for a while contemplating our advances in
photography in the past two years. 2 years
ago, Paul had a Brownie 44A. That struck me as
rather amusing, considering he now has a Spotmatic.

Then to the Sheldon room to relax for a while, which was not very successful Piano leson
with Gilly after that.

Still no mail, apart from a letter returned from the Post Office because they have never
heard of Cambuslang. What a bloody
nuisance - no 2nd Pentax for me now.

Wikipedia knows all about it. I wonder what went wrong.

After breakfast, sat moping in the Sheldon room for a while, and did little else, for the
films which I had developed were more or less finished - 2 Pan
F's before breakfast, and a Mark V at 1000ASA, and a Plus X FF/DD over breakfast. Could have left the Plus X for a bit longer, but the Mark V was fine, apart from a bit of emulsion missing - about which I must complain
to Ilford.

Then double Pad, which was a bore, and he was speaking
about the wave theory of light,
which took him a long time to explain, by many devious ways.

Then chemistry, and did little in that - Clod has left
us once again to our own revision, and I suppose I ought to do some.

After break, double study, and finished off our maths prep for tonight, and had quite a bit
of time left over, so over to the Meynell to talk photography
with Paul.

After lunch, choir practice, and that lasted until about 1415. Then up to the Darkroom,
where Paul was supposedly making some contact
prints of the stuff I developed this morning. In the end, I made them. Quite good on
Mark V, although the contrast was a little high.

Then the confirmation service, and quite amusing - the Bishop lost his place, and the
service got out of step. Rather amusing.

Unfortunately, however, it last for a very long time, which rather irritated me, as I wanted
to get out and see how Paul had got on with the
prints.

Finally got out at about 1600 hrs, and along to the darkroom, where the prints of the
Plus X were still washing. They, in contrast with the Mark V, lacked contrast, which was rather off-putting. Still, they will both make
acceptable prints.

Then sent off “Linda” back to Contemporary films - they do not want it until tomorrow, and I
only hope it arrives by then.

2nd half of double maths, and not much happened - just went over the surprise test he set us
on Thursday. Once again I did better than Norman - but the prospect does not cheer me.
After all, I only got 46% (same as last time).

Slob Davis pestering me for some HP3 in the evening. As a result of recent activities, I was dead beat. Couldn't do any work
in prep.

A.P. this morning, and I was so
busy making sure nobody pinched it that I did not notice that there was no mail.

Trying to get my negative album up to date after breakfast, and it did not get very far
before the 0855 bell went, and I had to go over to Stoneleigh and change for PE.

Got to the Gym and discovered we were doing some sort of a test - why I do not know. I am
quite convinced that I am not an athelete, and what I did this morning in no way changes my
opinion.

Economics - I seem to be one of the few fellows who is at all interested
in Shitters lectures, although also one of the
only fellows who has taken absolutely no notes.

Then music, and
more Meistersinger. It is
gradually becoming almost hilariously funny.

After break, in which I got a letter
from Lesley, which in itself was most
peculiar - Bev met a bloke called Greg who
sent Lesley his love, etc. - maths, and did
little of world-shattering importance there.

These were apparently my plans. Lesley
had no intention of coming with me, and the question was when would be most convenient,
from her point of view, for me to go there.

After lunch, another letter from Jenny, who
confirmed that she, too, was born
under Aries, on just about the
very date that I had suspected - 26th of March. She was rather surprised that I had guessed
the month, though. Seems quite keen for me to come up
to Edinburgh, although she will be
halfway towards Glasgow.

Up to the Sheldon room, after getting a 20 × 30 [inch, i.e. 50 × 75 cm] sheet of
paper from Randall, and wrote on 2 20 x 15 sections of it letters
to Lesley
and Jenny, and folded them in on themselves,
as Lesley said something about the Post
office confiscating the last envelope I sent her.

Then finished off letters in Front Hall, with people walking about everywhere, and then to
the common room for a while, and up to the darkroom to dish develop another film for Aston -
he is always in a hurry to have his prints ready. Why, I do not know. They were full of
camera shake - at only 1/25 second. I have done far better at ¼.

Down town after roll call, mainly for the change, and there was very little down there for
me to make it worthwhile. Bought some Promicrol and MHS photo enamel, and back and loaded my last lot of Perutz
16 into a cassette for a birthday film
for Jenny
and Lesley - I think I shall have to cut all
these things up and make a universal thing out of them.

And on with all the usual routine of life. When am I going to get a letter from Mum &
Dad? It is surely about time. I was hearing more about the family
via Lesley.

Did a bit of Blockflöte practice after breakfast - it is rather an enjoyable way of spending the
time.

Instead of mechanics, use of english [examination], which I hope I pass. It will, at
any rate, make my 9th 'O'
level. But it is important that I get it, no matter what the cost.

I think this was some kind of “must pass” examination without which the others would
not be recognized.

The précis seemed easy enough - about law and justice. When, however, I had finished it, I
discovered that it was still about 50% too long, and so had to chop it down further. Spent
quite a bit of time worrying about handwriting, and then on to the 2nd question - an essay
on one of three subjects: a) Coëd schools b) fairness of examination c) foreign languages.
I, as most people, chose the first one, and discovered that 400 words is a very awkward
length for such an essay.

Then out, and to the tuck shop, and then 2nd half of
double Pad, but fortunately he did not turn up.

After lunch, wind band practice, and we are still on these
horrible BrahmsHungarian
dances, which I find terribly difficult, and no doubt so does everybody else.

After that, was told to go over and
see Mr. Trevett immediately, as Forward was on
some Christianity and humanism farce, and so
over. Mr. Trevett seems to have given up hope of
getting me to pass the exam, although I personally think it is just a ruse to get me to do a
bit of work for the exam. I suppose I shall have to, but it will not be because he wants me
to. The whole lesson was an absolute farce, and we both ended up splitting our sides with
laughter. Oh dear, as the say. Such an amount ot laughter is no good for me.

Then over to the school, after having my daily shower, and decided that, after that
hilarious clarinet lesson, I
could not face a much more austere bassoon lesson, and so went to tea instead.

After a while, decided to repent of my sins and go over to Stoneleigh, but by the time I got
there, he had left. Ah well. So let it be. Did a study period, or at least theoretically
so. In fact, sat moping at the way life was encumbering on me.

Then double maths - the long one, and spent the whole time revising, which is a bit tough.
However, so it had to be, I suppose. At any rate, I had an interesting digression with
Jimmy about a wire carrying a current in a
magnetic field. He does not follow why it should assume the shape of a circle, despite all
my expectation.

Up this morning feeling just a little tired after Iolanthe last night, and the usual no mail
to cheer me up, coupled with the knowledge that I had not done my mechanics prep.

After breakfast, postcard from Rank to say that “The Asahi Pentax story” was booked up until
August. Whew. It must be popular.

Absolute shock in assembly - Pen calmly announced
that today was a complete holiday. Silence for a good two seconds, then cheering and
tumultous applause. He then went on to say that everybody had to be at least 5 miles from
KCT by 12 noon. Suited me.

Quite a few arrangements to make, and up to the darkroom to load some film, and then off to
get some clothes. Eventually, with Paul, off
down town to get some money, and then out the other side, thumbing
to Minehead. Got a lift from the
outskirts of town to Minehead, and the bloke even stopped off on the way to show
us Dunster, and gave us a cup of coffee
when we got to
Minehead. SLR
enthusiast - had a Topcon
Wink E camera.

Then, after getting some information, set off in the direction
of Selworthy, and found it very
difficult to get a lift, but finally, after walking about 2 miles, got one, and another one
fairly soon after. Then up to Selworthy, and thumbed another car, which proved to be
Donald Tyson. He stopped for us, but was too obviously
full up with Carpenter juniors, so we carried on walking. At the church, met a fellow with
a Pentax SV -
old type (green R on rewind knob), and he was delighted when I lent him my 135
mm Super-Takumar to take some
photos of the stained glass windows inside. Had quite an interesting time, and exchanged
addresses, and then Paul and I set off walking
up the hill.

Eventually back on the road, and back in one lift to Minehead, where we augmented our lunch
at the Wimpy bar, and then set of to have another look at Dunster, and discovered that the
castle was shut and the keep inaccessible, and so we had a look round the rest of the
village (which is little more than a sight for tourists), and then set off again and found
it very difficult to get a lift. Then, to add insult to injury, it began to rain, and then
hail. We both ended up freezing cold, soaked to the skin, and covered in hailstones. Why
did I laugh at that? But laugh I did, and I felt genuinely happy. Then, finally, a lift,
and got back to Williton, and then
another all the way to Taunton.

Got some fish and chips on the way back to school, which we consumed in the science library,
and then down to the common rooms for roll call, and to compare notes.

After that, over to Stoneleigh for a shower, which I badly needed, and back to do some
music.

Ah, what an anticlimax today is after yesterday! Everybody is still talking about what they
did yesterday. Even in assembly, Pen had quite a bit
to say about it, and thanked several people for their phone calls.

Then double maths, and revising further, which was a bit of a bore, and I managed to get
away without having done any prep. However, it imposes great strain on ones mind, and I
found myself straying from the straight and narrow path, and thinking
of Lesley,
Jenny, and what I would do in the holidays.
Nevertheless, managed to learn a bit more
about complex numbers, etc.

Then out, and Cocky Locky was giving us his views of yesterday's whole holiday, with an
artistic aid, or commentary, or something. Caught the train up today, or tried to until he
discovered that it did not run on a Saturday.

In break, did little. For the first time for a long time, had some money in my pocket, and
so bought some food with it.

After break, chemistry, and caught by Clod talking
to Hal, and was moved to the window bench.

English - 2nd period this term, and Daddy G wanted an essay on
“Brave New World” by the end of
it. What a farce!

After lunch, got permission to miss pioneers to watch the OA match, and so did little in rest, which I spent in
the Sheldon room.

Then down to watch the match, and quite amusing it was, although the only photos I took were
of Pad and one of the girls from Bishop Fox's,
whom Ricky rather likes.

Match dragged on for hours, however, and I am not too sure that I would not rather have
turned up for pioneers. While down there, discussed
with Paul (Hallett) what we would do after roll
call, and decided to go down town.

Match finished late, and no time really left for tea. Instead talking
to Allen about the purchase of a new camera,
of which he is now in need, since his Ilford Whatnot has given up the ghost.

Then, after roll call, down town with Paul, and
first to Grays, where I was contemplating the purchase of some PF5 flashbulbs, but decided
against it.

Then to Smiths, and bought a
road map - I want to make sure I get
to Edinburgh in time for Easter there
holidays [?]. It has occurred to me that I could keep going day and night, and I
probably shall.

Bought some Java coffee, and back. Had some after supper - it tastes just
like Palembang. Lovely.

Developed a few films, although the spirals once again objected. Several in dishes.

Sundays - why are they so deceptive? One would imagine that Sunday, with its change from
work, would be just about the best day of the week, but such it does not prove to be. I am
almost invariably depressed at the end of a Sunday, much more so than on any weekday.

After breakfast, as ever, up to the darkroom, mainly to tidy up after last night, and then
into the Sheldon room to have some coffee, and had a conversation about student uprisings
(as in Indonesia, where, thank God, the
army, with the aid of the students of
the University of
Indonesia, has taken over. I hope we have signs of happenings to the better).

Then chapel, which was rather complicated by the fact that
the Provost was presiding, or doing
whatever he was wont to do.

After chapel, had a darkroom booking, and nothing in particular to do, although I had had a
few requests for photos for various peoples vanity files. Also did a few for my own birds
file - of Jenny, but the contact prints off
Ektachrome were pretty grotty,
so I made some 5×4 [inch, i.e. 20 × 16 cm] blowups on to Ansco commercial Ortho.

Then lunch. I am getting a bit fed up with these juniors always complaining about
mismanagement of the photographic society, and up after lunch to show Taylor that the
Amateur Photographer was in fact
in the Science Library. This, however, was rather spoilt by the fact that it was
not. Paul had it, and I got him to give it to
Taylor. The next thing I knew was that the nude by Johannes Sachs was stuck up on my study
place. Christ, they will pay.

Then, theoretically, for a walk, but in fact over to Stoneleigh for a shower, and after that
to the music rooms to do some music practice, and quite enjoyed myself. I must do a bit of
practice for my bassoon and
clarinetABRSM exams, though.

Then up to the science library, where I endeavoured to get into the darkroom to get hold of
my negatives, but they were already in there.

Eventually, however, they had to go for the film, and so in and got down to developing an
HP3 for Davis CH, and then a few more prints. The prints from the Ektachrome were better than off the
contact internegs, but the quality could have been far, far better, and thus is one of the
contributory factors to today's depression.

No mail - but, contrary always to my hopes, there never is on Mondays. It is just one of
those things one has to come to expect, and then to put up with.

Mechanics, and Drax went over the prep that we were
supposed to have done God knows how long ago. Rather a waste of time, as I had lost my book
since then. In any case, gave us a bit more of a go at the various questions which he
presumably gave us as an aid to what we would get tomorrow.

Then double chemistry, in which Simon and I
asked Paul to resign from the Photographic
Society committee following the mess we found in the darkroom after assembly. Thank God, he
did, rather than force us to have a meeting to have him chucked
off Simon and I intend to do it until the
beginning of next term, when we shall have an election.

Then off for a flute lesson, which
I feared would cut into break, but Miss Mills was
also in a hurry to get off, and merely promised me double time next time.

Maths, maths, and more maths, and spent just about the whole time revising.

After lunch, up to the darkroom, and
with Simon's help tidied it out. I have not
seen it looking so tidy for a long time.

Then into the Sheldon room for some coffee, and noted a 38 mm f/1,1 'D' mount lens going for
< £4 - which would fit Dad's Bolex.
Interesting - useful speed.

Then managed to bring myself to go down town, and first to Grays to buy some developer
(D163 and
Promicrol) and a new thermometer (I broke the other one yesterday). When I came
back, Winter came up to me and asked me to take a photo of him, to be ready by tomorrow, and
so I dragged out my old Nagel
Vollenda and put the 105 mm
f/4.5 Tessar on it, and shoved a 2½ ×
4 [inches, i.e 6.3 × 10 cm] sheet of film into it, and took it on that. This Ansco
commercial ortho is rather useful stuff. I wonder if I can adapt the Vollenda to take
slides for 2½ x 3½ film/plates.

That took me, complete with developing the film, until the middle of tea, after which again
up to the darkroom to make up some D163, and then to the Sheldon
room. for a while, and then back to do Winters prints for him.

Back to the common room, and discovered a letter waiting for me from Dad, with conditions of
next holidays contained, but no money.

Over for piano lesson, which I
rather enjoyed. I am slowly getting used to the piano.

And once again I am at the stage of term where I am depressed by lack of mail, and this
morning did not help any. Decided to resign myself to it, and to the music rooms to
practice some Blockflöte music.

Then the trial runs began in earnest, and I discovered that it did not really matter that I
had not studied my mechanics, for Jimmy had
given us the two pure maths papers to do - and, I might add, they were exceptionally
difficult - at least I thought so, but then I had not revised at all for them. Paper II I
found considerably easier than paper I, which was probably die to nothing more than the fact
that I had remembered it better.

Gave up about ⅔rds the way through the exam, and wrote a poem in mathematics - the first to
the fact that I had done no work, and the second
to Jenny for not writing to me.

Then out, and Paul was muttering away about it
being easier than last year.

Letter from Jenny - hooray! She said something
about living in Armadale,
but still refuses to give me her address. I wish she would. Also, why have I not heard
from Lesley?

After lunch, did little - up to the Sheldon room to do nothing in particular, and consumed
sufficient coffee unto the need, and then down and decided to go down to the common room and
see what work was in hand, and decided to do something about these birthday films that I
shall shortly be called up on to produce, and got down to a few practical shots, such as of
16 grains of sugar (since my shot of the sugar lumps was not as successful as it might have
been, and and also a few other such photos - the music to “Happy birthday to you”.

After that, which I gave up at about 1530, decided to do a bit of music practice, and
dragged out the Suite
Modale that Betty Mills gave me yesterday, and
did a bit of sight reading, in the middle of which
enter TDH and said that sounded very nice,
and would he like him to accompany me [sic]. Made a fool of myself re timing, as I
always do when I am accompanied, but he said it was very nice, and wants me to play in a
music club concert.

Then double study, most of which I spent writing a letter
to Jenny. I hope she will play my game. I am
getting rather to like her - but I should think likewise
of Lesley if only she would write more often.

Did little work in prep - I really must buckle down and study, instead of reading books on
how to fail exams (as I did
in Esquire's “What every young
man should know”).

More row over the AP this
morning - it all makes me feel more than slightly sick, but then
I do want to be able to read it in
breakfast, - surely it is not much to ask in return for my secretarial duties? Won the
dispute, of course, but that it not in itself satisfying.

After breakfast, over to the san again, to see about an opticians appointment, and nurse
knew nothing about it, and it was sister's day off, so had to leave it until tomorrow.

Then, after assembly, had chemistry, which was quite a good paper, although I fear my lack
of revision may show through - especially in the organic questions.

But life is such a bore, and there is little one can do about it. I wish I had the will
power and ability to do some work. I shall, I suppose, like everybody, start worrying next
term, and thereto do some work, but I can't imagine it happening yet.

Finally out of the Gym, and to the tuckshop to compare notes, and decided that I had not
done as badly as I could have.

Then to the common room, and there hung around until lunchtime, mainly in the Meynell common
room.

After lunch, condescended to turn up to choir practice, mainly to learn “Oh Taste and see”, which I have
decided I had better know. Besides, missing too many choir practices will just
get TDH's back up, and there is no point in
doing that.

Then to the common room, and carried on taking photos for my photographic birthday card, and
finished most of them - only a few rather baroque ones to take now. I hope I can get
Jenny's, in particular, ready on time - I see
little opportunity in the near future, and I have still quite a few to do.

After that, decided to go down to the cycle sheds to see how my bike was getting on, and met
David Hargrave on the way, and got him to come and account for his sins. At any rate, it
looked OK, and we got the gears going while we were at it.

Then back up to roll call, and also to work out what I needed to get down town.

Bike dd not quite last out to Grays - somewhere in East street, the brakes at the back came
undone (the rear light had already come off in South Road) and somewhere after that I had a
puncture and a broken spoke.

Still no mail. I hope Lesley writes soon -
it is only 2 weeks now until the end of term, and if I do not hear from her soon, I shall
not be able to go and see her - what, incidentally, should I do in such a case? Go up
to Scotland? It might be a good idea,
but I still do not know Jenny's address (though I
suppose I could find out from the schol, or something.

Then, after breakfast, etc, did little until assembly - not even the customary music
practice, owing to other commitments - Bale (a junior in our house) wants to buy a camera,
and so I am plugging the usual Exa 1a, which he seems to like. I wonder what he will do when he sees it.

After assembly, physics exam, and we had a large choice of questions - 4 out of 8 - none of
which seemed very difficult, and I managed quite well - I should have got over 75%, although
I made a couple of slip-ups.

After the exam, Pad caught us outside the new block, and
asked as about the papers. Spent an hour and a half talking to him, and, as it occurred to
me in lunch line up, we did not miss double Pad after
all. But nevertheless, a most interesting conversation. He can be a very interesting fellow
to talk to.

After lunch, had intended to miss wind band, but was dragged along at about
1415. TDH's comment: “You're late”. What
an example of lytotes.

Then to the common room for a while trying to find if there was any way I could fit an M25B
into a PF1 socket.

M25B must have been a different kind of flash bulb, not (quite) compatible with
PF1.

Obviously not from what attempts we made, although I think it would be easy to modify some
guns (although, I fear, not my own).

Then over for a clarinet lesson
with Gerard, which was more down to earth than
last week, and we got a bit more work done - perhaps the sobering effect of the fact that
the exam was next week.

That carried on for quite some time, for Gerard
decided to accompany me on the bassoon as well, which he found rather amusing.

Then downstairs for a quick shower, and
observed TDH practicing
his trombone in the junior dormitory,
which rather tickles me - I wish I could have got a photo.

Up again, and informed Mr. Fawcett that I was
taking grade III on the bassoon next week - he took it quite in his stride, rather by contrast
to Gerard's method.

Carried on practicing after he had gone - I mush be getting chich. Then over to the common
room, where Paul informed me that Miss Job
(of Ashford school) had applied for the job
(no pun) of matron. What a laugh.

Then over for prep. One of these days I really must do some work - (my war cry)!

And so draw the exams to a close, and it is just as well, too - I could not have taken much
more of this nonsense.

Letter from Lesley at last - I wish I knew
whom I would prefer out of Lesley
and Jenny, but I cannot see everything in its
perspective. I rather feel, however, that I would prefer
Lesley (but this is after just having heard
from her). I feel quite prepared to comply with her request to be with her when she is
in Beckenham, especially, and as a
result, apologies to Simon that I would not be
coming up to Thurso after all - although I
might come sometime in the future.

Then into the maths exam, which was surely a study in torture. I have never seen anything
quite so impossible. I attempted 5 questions, instead of the 10 required, and felt sure I
had sunken deeper than ever into the mire. Felt like giving up halfway and writing a letter
to Lesley, but decided against it.

Eventually got out, and compared notes with Paul
Callow, who seemed to have done almost as badly. Sat outside in the (rare) sun until
lunch time.

After lunch, looking for Skiv to go and apologise to
Mrs. Morgan about dancing last week. He suggested I got tidied up first, and I spent most
of rest doing that, and then up to Fullands to look for Mrs Morgan. When I finally got
there, after a long search, I discovered that she was not there, and so gave up in disgust
and went back again, looked for my sunglasses (for the sun was still shining, and the glare
got me), and then changed and down for pioneers, where Weeks observed that he thought I was
entitled to miss games on Fridays for music practice, as I am a music exhibitioner. Good
for him. Mentioned it to Paul on the way back, and it is OK by him as long as I do in fact
do music practice. That suits me. Now I only have Saturdays to account for. This is
getting rather gear.

“Gear” appears to be the usage described in OED II 5. e: “ e. that's (also it's) the gear: an expression of
approval. Hence as adj., good, excellent, ‘great’. Also as int. slang.:

1964 J. Burke Hard Day's Night iv. 89 Once we even all sat down and wrote those letters
saying how gear she was and all that rubbish.

Then back to the school, changed, and hung round doing little for quite a while, and decided
after a while to do some music practice, and on the Blockflöte with Pepusch
and Bach. The former did not appear to be
very inspired - just the ordinary run-of-the-mill baroque (and baroque can
be very run-of-the-mill!).

Then double Pad, in which, as we
expected, Pad had a post-mortem on the the Physics paper,
and blew me up once again, although once again I came top. But at last I am beginning to
agree with him - I hardly tried for the trial run.

Over to the san - I wish they would do something about my eyes. Then choir practice, which
did not last long.

And so, the last obstacle of the term over, we draw into the closing days of the term, and I
shall no doubt spend the next 13 days waiting until I can
see Lesley again. Ah, what happiness will be
then!

Nothing happened in the morning before assembly, in
which Pen also had little to do. In fact, the whole
morning was just one dirty great anticlimax, in
which Jimmy confessed that he had not yet
marked the papers, and he gave us some work to do and marked our scripts, and after a while
left, and then everybody had a look at the marks. He came back after a while, and handed
out the papers, and also did Norm's and mine. He reckons that, for that paper, I would have
got an E or O. At least that was some consolation, but I have a horrible feeling that I
would not have done much better had I revised. All I need now is practice.

No art lecture, and so off for a study period, in which I did anything but study - revising
various items of the Photographic society.

After we had turned up for chemistry, discovered
that Clod was not here, and so off for a study period
until lunch. That made a pretty good morning - long time since I have had three study
periods in a day.

Up to Fullands after lunch again, and again Mrs. Morgan was not there, which rather
irritated me. I am getting a bit fed up, and am thinking of writing a note.

Back to school again, and got moving on some photocopies [photos] for the birthday
films for Lesley
and Jenny, the latter of which is due to be sent
off on Thursday, if the English Postal service persists in its usual inefficiency.

And, presumably, the Scottish postal system. But it was intended to arrive on Friday,
so I suspect I had miscalculated.

That took quite some time, what with setting up all the usual photofloods and so o. I have
one objection to B.C. photofloods

No longer any idea what that is.

- the solder on the base tends to melt with the heat given off by the things. I will be
glad to get back to my easily set ES units at home - with, possibly, 28 mm Canon lens and
bellows, teleconverter, the lot.

Then down to the common room, considering whether or not to go down town, and eventually
decided not to, in order to get my films finished.

After roll call, thus up to the darkroom, got a dirty great [right angled triangle
symbol]prism from the Padlab boxes,
and used it for photocopying without stuff necks - very good idea, and, as far as I can see,
no loss in image quality. Developed 2 of my own films and then off for a dancing lesson. I
consider ourselves at quits with the ladies now, for none of them turned up. Anyway, the
usual messing round. I thinkg I am getting the hang of this.

After supper, printed the films, and had a go at the astrophotography lark. Not very
successful.

Well, all thoughts now seem to be concentrating on the impending end of term. I, for one,
can think of hardly anything else.

After breakfast, tidying up the darkroom for a while, and also, but request of some various
people, loaded some film, and we have now all finished all the HP3, which is probably just as well.

Allen had something to say about the
largest sunspot ever observed, or at any
rate, for quite some time, and so I thought it might be worth my while to have a look at it.
It certainly is pretty big. Did not, however, have any time to take a photo of it.

Chapel I spent in the Lady Chapel, as it would have been ludicrous to go into the choir
stalls with my throat in the condition that it is. To a fellow as fond of his own voice as
I am, it is quite a blow.

After chapel, out to look for Skiv for my exeat, which
had somehow been mislaid, and he wrote out another one, and so off
to Gerard's place
on Paul Callow's bike. It certainly is a crate.

Got there, and he pumped me full of ear tests, and then decided to hear my pieces, which he
does not think will be too bad.

Then preparing lunch, which for all he said to the contrary, was quite good. But what a
combination! Sherry to start off with, then sausages, eggs, mushrooms, etc, and then
cheese. Most odd. Even gave me a cigar with my coffee (by which time some artist called
John from Queens had
come, and also Pearce).

Sat out in the garden for a while, talking, for it was very pleasant. The weather lately
has been very good, but I fear it will not outlive the term, for,
as Chaucer says, “Whann that Apprill with
his showres soote, the droughte of March hath perced to the roote”.

Sic, from memory. The original (the very beginning of the prologue to
the Canterbury Tales) was:

Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote

The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,

In passing, it's worth noting that the months were then measured by
the Julian calendar, which was
over a week off from the
current Gregorian calendar
at the time of writing.

Oh well. I might have known it was too good to be true.

Then back to the school, handed in my exeat, and up to the Padlab to prepare to take a photo
of this sunspot. It looks as if Allen's
telescope is a many-faceted jewel. By a suitable combination of bellows extension and
focussing of the telescope, I got a full frame image of the sunspot (although definition was
poor), which I reckon must be equal to a focal length of about 30 000 mm. All I need now is
my teleconverter. But it has me thinking of other ways of going about taking telephoto
shots, based on the same idea. Whoever heard of using a 28 mm lens for long telephoto shots
(on 35 mm!).

After roll call, up to the darkroom to remove a film from
Ngs Pen S, and also loaded some
Mk
V and XX. We are now completely out of film, so went and ordered 200 ft of various sorts
of film, including another 25 ft of Eastmancolor.

Then gave up any idea of work for a while and off for chapel, and Lewis, for some reason,
insisted that I turned up in the choir. How bloody silly!

After supper, on with developing Ng's film, wrote up my diary, and then looking
at Spiral Nebulae
(Orion, etc).

And so into the penultimate week of term, and little to show for it apart from a longing
desire to see Lesley again. Incidentally,
the scriptures say “No man can serve two masters” (or, in this case, two mistresses), for
either the will hate one and love the other, or serve one and despise the other. But I find
that my love (or approximation thereto) is constantly flitting
between Lesley
and Jenny. I have still to see the effect of the
most recent receipt of letters, though.

After assembly, Norman and I decided to go for maths
with Jimmy Edwards instead
of Drax, as the former would be going through our paper.
Accordingly over, and got permission and spent the period
doing coaxal circles with the
Upper 6ths.

Then chemistry (“Ni! It was pretty pathetic!”), and got back our scripts. Got 88%, and
Perkins, who came 2nd, got 68%, so I am not feeling as worried as I might have done after
the exam.

Then, after break, more maths. Thank God not all our masters are intolerable. More going
over the paper - he seems to be having fun doing his mechanics paper.

Then maths for science, in which Norm and I did some of the questions we had not done.

After lunch, tidied up my study place (Skiv had issued
an ultimatum in break), and then decided to go down town, for no particular reason other
than it had been some time since I had last gone down. According went by the front way via
Gwynne Lane, etc, and nearly bumped into Jimmy James and Mike Jordan in High Street, and did
bump into the bursar at Grays, where I nearly bought some PF1s, but they looked so grotty
(everybody has gone over to PF1Bs now) that I decided against it.

These were pretty standard flash bulbs, but I can't recall the difference. Maybe the
PF1Bs were the ones with a blue capsule (to simulate daylight).

I shall have to get some from Marston and Heard some time.

Then back to school, to develop and HP3 for Charlie Chaun, who wanted to do it by OB safelight. Christ, I wish he would find out
before messing around with the grot. Also loaded a darkroom refill for him.

Then decided to go to tea, at the Carpenter table, for no social reason - merely that I was
feeling hungry. Tea on Mondays, I always feel, is much messier than on any other day, but
maybe it is just because I came in later in the game.

Then to the music rooms and did some practice, and carried on thus for some time, though I
also had a shower before hobbies. I want to keep this cleanliness programme up as long as
possible.

Spent hobbies period in the Sheldon room, which is pretty deserted at this time, and then
over to the san, and thence to Miss Gills, feeling
pretty awful, and not really up to
the MozartMinuet
she gave me.

Well, my throat is clearing up a bit, at any rate, which makes me feel much more joyful and
glad to be alive.

After breakfast, mail included the film that I ordered on Sunday night - pretty good service
- and a postcard from the Liskeard
police saying that they would shortly be writing to me re accommodation
in Upton Cross. I should have
written similarly
to Armadale
and Beckenham - Oh well. There is
still time.

Physics, and discovered that, although Pad was away, we
were still expected to work in the Padlab, and so over to Stoneleigh. What an indignity -
it is like being treated like a 3rd former, who would just abuse the study period.

Based on this record, that seems to have been a good assumption.

Anyway, thus spent the time, and then down to the Clod lab, and were told to go up once
again to the Padlab, which was not so messy. Went through most of the organic section of
the paper - nothing of much interest.

After break, decided to do some music practice for
my ABRSM exam on Thursday, but gave it up
after about ½ an hour, and back to the common room, where I did not do anything of
importance.

After lunch, up to the darkroom, and there with the aid
of Allen
and Hallett (or rather, despite the latter)
loaded 75 ft of film, which is a load off my mind.

This would have corresponded to 15 5 ft lengths, good for about 34 exposures each.

Gave Chaun the remains of the TX and CE, which only leaves the Plus X and Mark V to deal with.

Then down to watch the house match - why, I do not know, for I could easily have stayed
indoors (well, I think I could have, anyway).

Eventually, having taken photos only of the aspects of a game of hockey which are not
usually photographed (spectators, injuries, etc), up to the common room to label the dozens
of cassettes of film on my study place. I can't see myself going without these holidays - I
would have to average about 18 exposures a day.

As I enter this, on 26 October 2017, I have had my current camera
(Olympus OM-D E-M1
Mark II) for 247 days, and have taken 9,301 photos, or about 38 a day. But then
things are so much cheaper nowadays.

Then decided to have a shower rather than tea, and accordingly over to Stoneleigh, but
changed my mind, and hung round doing little until time for double maths. Of, for the
strength to face double maths. This evening, it was so bad
that Jimmy noticed it - “You are with us, are
you, LeHey?”. I don't know what he expected me to say. If it had not come as such a shock
to me (for I was not with it) I might have summoned up courage to say no.

Over to the san afterwards, but my throat is much more responsive now, and I hope will soon
be OK.

Then, finally, a shower, and then upstairs to do no prep. I cannot be getting enough sleep
lately, yet in the evenings I do not feel tired: Holiday spirit creeping on, no doubt.

Oh, the term drags! What I would not give for it all to be over and for me to be with my
(my?) Lesley again. Well, to start with: my
life, my soul (if I have one), my camera, in fact quite a few things.

After breakfast, up to the Sheldon room after going to the san, and rested for a while,
reading last week's AP (I seldom
get it until a week later).

This is in marked contrast to the previous week,
which presumably referred to the same issue.

Then, after assembly, in which Pen was obviously
violently disturbed about the international situation, PE, in which I did exceptionally
little, having done all of it last week. The weather is, I fancy, somewhat colder than it
has been for some time, but the sun was still nice and warm - I basked in that.

Economics, and about banks. I discovered that there are few branches of
the LondonClearing
banks in Scotland - a point which
may well have proven my downfall.

Jimmy spent the whole of maths doing one
question, which he nevertheless did not completely manage to solve.

Then Chemistry - Clod was still waffling on about the
trial runs. I wish he would keep it for himself occasionally.

Choir practice, which brought home to me the fact that my voice has by no means cleared up
completely yet. Fortunately did not have much to do.

After that, to the common room to finally send off Colin's slides to him, and did so. Thank
God that is off my mind - though I notice that he asked for them before 20/III/1966. Oh well. I hope he gets them before the end of term.
Also wrote to some Rounsevell [?] bag (probably a widow), who, according to the
letter I got this morning from
the Liskeard Rural District Council,
“accomodates visitors” in Upton
Cross, and has a monopoly on it. Also wrapped up (or enveloped, as personal choice may
be) birthday films to Jenny
and Lesley. I wish, just sometimes, that I
would occasionally hear from them. I rather feel that they reckon the term's correspondence
is over and done with.

Then down to Mountfields (why does everybody here call it Mountlands?) to post Colins
slides, which cost me a good 6d.

Then back again, and was waylaid by John Howlett to do some prints of Iolanthe for him, but when I went up to the
darkroom with Paul, I discovered that the
enlarger bulb had burnt out, and so gave it up as a bad job, and went down town.

At Grays, bought some Paterson negative file refills, as well as a new enlarger bulb and 5
litres of Promicrol (which should keep us going for some time).

Then to Smiths, bought a copy of
“Horoscope” (to Paul's disgust). Practice
with Gerard at 1700 hrs. He seems to be getting a
bit fed up with me, to say the least.

I was rather hoping for some mail from Lesley
this morning, but was disappointed - no mail at all, not even bills. Ah well. Such is
life.

After breakfast, to the san, and over to Stoneleigh, which took most of my time, and then to
assembly, and mechanics with Drax, in which he issued
Norman and me with copies of the exam papers so that we could also join in the fun and do
some of the more difficult questions.

Then study period, which I spent furiously practicing scales and things for the exams today.
As usual, I was woefully unprepared, but then is such not half the fun of it? It all seems
such a waste of time to spend all one's time preparing it, as did Pearce.

Then economics with TGW, and more about Banks.
At last this is likely to come in useful.

More violent practice after break, and then, after transcribing
the Galliard, in for my
exam, and impressed upon the examiner, Dennis Murdoch, the antiquity of the instrument.

Then, after lots of waiting around, becoming nervous (in fact, for some reason, I was not),
did the exam, in which, as usual, I have not the foggiest how I did. Well, I have not got a
distinction, but I could have a merit, pass or fail, and could not say which.

After that, talking to Gerard, who seems rather
fed up with me. Perhaps I am just a little to insensitive for an artistic frog - or
perhaps, much more likely, I just don't understand him. Ah well. C'est la vie.

After that, went for tea, with faggott, much to amusement of all,
including Popsy and Mr. Thomas,
and Popsy came down and asked me if I intended to
blow it or smoke it, and the Mr. Thomas asked me if I found it difficult to get ammunition
for the thing.

Then over for faggott lesson, in
which I felt so dead exhausted that I could play much, and spent the time just talking
to Mr. Fawcett about music.

Then double maths
- Jimmystill has not marked our mechanics paper, having only just worked it all
out for himself.

Only 3 more double maths periods this term, so we won't have much time to go through it.

My mind is at rest now that I no longer have anything to work towards this term. Even if I
did not do any work for my Grade VI and Grade III exams yesterday, I still worried about
them, and I have quite a strong suspicion that that had a lot to do with my recent fits of
depression.

Letter from Mrs. Rounsevell in Upton
Cross, offering me accommodation at £7 a week. Bed, Breakfast and makan malam, which,
though it hit me at first, is after all a pretty reasonable offer, and as such I decided to
accept it.

Lady Day today, as well as Pop's
birthday, and for the former reason spent the first half of double chemistry in the chapel.

Then chemistry, in which I did little apart from pretend to do some organic chemistry, while
Clod came up and tried to
stuff metallurgy down my throat.

Then mechanics, in which I was working out, and, lest I forget, writing down, what I would
need for the holidays.

After lunch, loaded some film (10ft PX) for Oni, and then spent rest trying to give him some idea of how to expose the
stuff (and also how to do HP3).

Then down to do some music practice, for on this contest [?] have I escaped doing
pioneers on Fridays (for I am, after all, a music exhibitioner). However, got down there
and discovered that all was booked up, so off to write to Mrs. Rounsevell accepting her
offer. I should have done something about the other places I will be going to.

Then over to the changing rooms to have a shower, after which up tot he study room to find
out how a Leica works, I am very
seriously considering buying an old Leica (say III or IIIa) as a second camera. From what I can see, they are excellent
value for about £10 for a grotty one, and there is enough information in the AP's that I have to enable me to get it
working properly.

Then physics - for there is quite a bit to a Leica, and I spent all of tea learning
about it.

That's what I wrote.

When Fresnel first measured the
wavelength of light by
measuring interference
fringes from
a biprism,
doubtless he had better equipment than we now have, and definitely more enthusiasm. In any
case, the school optical bench must surely be one of the most awful things I have ever come
across. I could build better my self!

Saw Skiv about missing Chapel on Monday - he reckons I
need an exeat to go to miss Gill's. What rubbish.

Borderline case. Miss Gill lived on the
border of the school compound. Strictly speaking it was outside, but I went to piano lessons there without an exeat. This
too was for a piano lesson; the
only difference was that (for some unstated reason) it was during a chapel service. So a
strange idea indeed.

Oh God! That the term might quickly come to a peaceful end! I cannot much longer take all
this everlasting anxiety - as soon as the holidays actually begin, I am sure all will be
well. But the number of thoughts that assail me will no doubt make a nervous wreck of me by
that time. Jenny still has not written to tell
me where she will be in the holidays - I have almost decided against going up
to Glasgow/Edinburgh.
It will take a hell of a long time - perhaps too long
if Lesley wants to see me on Friday
15/IV/1966, and if I get up there, I am not even assured
that she is mine. Surely the proverb maker had exactly this situation in mind when he said
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”?

Double maths, and it seems I have lots of prep to do which should have been in by today.
What the hell. Why does Jimmy carry on flat
out right up to the very end of term?

Then art lecture, and discovered there was none, and so to the common room to do little,
apart from mess around and indulge in my own private thoughts.

After break, chemistry, but Clod had little constructive
or intelligent to say, and I sat there contemplating the structure
of poly ethylene
teraphthalate.

Then english - again study. “Read something good”, so
read Somerset Maugham, who died
recently - very good.

Presumably the material, not the death.

After lunch, spent some time in the Sheldon room, and then down and discovered that I was
supposed to turn up early, so strolled over towards Stonleigh and changed and turned up
apologising to Drax.

Did little with Rees help, chucked a few bricks about,
and then, after talking for a while with Rees about
explosives, knocked off early. Weeks later told me that I had not been missed, which was
helpful, for it meant that I could have a decent shower, and then up to the darkroom to make
up some KMnO₄ for
bleaching in reversal stuff for black and white films. Then cleaned up my filters, which we
made in the bilge labs some time ago. Quite good - now if only I can find some way to held
them in place, it would be worthwhile making a few more - Green, Blue, Orange sound nice
colours - and perhaps even a couple of colour correcting ones. Who knows what might come in
handy?

Then got some fixer and hypo clear made up - somebody seems to have mixed them up, which
doubtless helps little - and copied a photo for Oni. I hope it comes out wll. Some of
these copy negs can be objectionable.

Then, after roll call, down town, and to Grays to enquire about the new enlarger, which,
needless to day, had not arrived. Mr. Kinsey brought out a box full of odd developers for
me - said he was uable to sell them in the sale. Good. Now I can find out what Agfa Atomal
Neu is like - got 2,4 litres of it. Also
showed Ricky the Exa 1a - he likes it very much.
Saw Gordon Hessey there - buying an exposure meter.

Dancing lesson - did little. I am quite convinced that I will have to learn in the
holidays.

Oh! For all of this to be over and done with. It really is a case of “so near and yet so
far”. Only 5 days to go, and it seems an eternity.

Up early this morning to have a shave (for one never has time normally) and thought 'twas
0715 hrs, but it turned out to be 0630, so after that off to the darkroom and loaded a
couple of films into tanks, and got the chemicals ready for the reversal process which
Ricky wanted to have done to one of his
PX's.

After breakfast, up to the darkroom, and got moving on the PX, and after I had put the developer
in, Ricky told me he had taken it at 250ASA. I
wish he had told me earlier. Anyway, made a valiant effort, but the exposure had, in fact,
been nothing like either of the correct figures, and all was washed out. Pity.
Still, Rick liked it.

After chapel, did little - borrowed Paul'sSpotmatic and messed
around with it for a while, and then gave it up and to the Sheldon room, thence to the
common room to listen to “Iolanthe” on the radio. Not nearly as good as ours.

Then to the wireless club to see how my radio was going, and put a new transformer in, and
then off for lunch.

Just as I didn't mention my banning from the wireless club, there seems to be no
mention of the reinstatement.

After lunch, up to the darkroom to develop a film, and that took me me some time (since it
was a VP120 in Promicrol), and, at the end of that, it was such a mess that it was hardly worth it.
Glanfield came along with a note from Mrs. Pentney saying that she would very much
appreciate some photos of “Androcles”, which rather annoyed me, for the last thing I wanted
to do was to watch the thing. However, I had little choice, and so rolled up at about 1340
outside Big School, and soon in, and took my photos. It was, to my mind, utterly wet, and
Charlie Chaun and I were sitting there in the front row just about restraining ourselves
from puking.

Then the end, and back to ask Mrs Pentney if she wanted any taken of the Critic, and also
(tongue in cheek) to congratulate her on the production.

Then, after tea, off to “The Critic”, which was excellent, and all about a fellow rehearsing
a play, and I only wish I had had more film to do it justice.

Then off, and up to the Sheldon room to write up my diary, and got that fairly soon over and
done with, and then hung round the Sheldon room contemplating what I should do with the time
available, and thus spent it.

Chapel, and probably the last time we will robe up this term. Thank God the end is drawing
near.

Rang up Mrs. Baudouy in the evening - she does
not have £60, let alone be able to send it to me. What the hell.

Mail, at last, and very important to my holiday plans. The first was from Mum, with a
cheque for £70 in it, and a wish that I might have a good holidays. She explained to me
that I could get an arrangement with [bank] branches in other parts of the country.
That could prove most useful.

The other from Jenny. She seems very worried
about my welfare
(unlike Aries), and definitely
wants me to cope up: “I am sure we can find something to do”. Oh well. I suppose I shall
have to go.

After that, mechanics, in which I paid little attention, as he was just dictating notes to
the maths for scientists.

Then double chemistry, and Clod took the first period to
get warmed up, and then nattering away
about phase rule diagrams and so on
for Iodine - not very convincing.

Maths, and we got or mechanics papers, and I got 24% - what a mess. I really must buck up
my ideas. Doing the other ones in 5th period.

After lunch, over to have a shower, and arrange various things, and then down town, and on
the way bumped into Spencer Cheung, who reminded me that I owed him 10/-, and so I invited
him to come along to the bank with me, and got him to deposit my money and cash a cheque
while I made arrangements with Banks
in Liskeard,
Armadale
and Beckenham.

Then down to Grays, where I ascertained that the enlarger had still not come, and decided
that I could do with some flash bulbs for the holidays, and so bout 20 AG1Bs on the kira.
Then started strolling back, and outside Corfield Hall tried to
ring Mrs Baudouy, but she was not in.

Then back to the school, and paid a visit to the Q stores for the first time for nearly a
year. Dray has just been appointed to the Q stores staff

Then to the common room, where Charlie was complaining about only getting 24 exposures off
his last Eastmancolor.

Dead tired this morning, and decided to sleep in, but, unfortunately, I was not permitted so
to do, and so off for breakfast, in which, for the first time for quite some time, the mail
was on time, and two letters for me: a letter
from Lloyds bank, saying it was not
possible to have arrangements as I wanted them, and would I please call in and see them quam
celerrime. Also statement from Geoffrey Howarth for some flute repair or another.

Then, after over to Stoneleigh to wake myself up,
double Pad, in which, rather to our surprise and relief,
he carried on with the post mortem, which was just as well, for few of us had done very many
of them.

Then chemistry, in which I spent my time in the sun on the window bench. What the hell.
Might as well enjoy it while we have it, which will not be for long.

After break, over to Stoneleigh, and lent Paul
my road map for planning his route back home at the end of this term.

Saw Skiv after lunch about going down to the Bank - he
was rather surprised about the request, but let me go, and so down, and had to wait about 10
minutes before I could see the bloke, who said he would make arrangements with
the National
& Commercial Bank of Scotland,
and I could get up to £20 at any branch
of Lloyds just by presenting my
passport and cheque. So all that is OK.

Then back to the school, and to watch the final of the interhouse hockey - Carpenter
vs. Alfred, in which, unfortunately, we lost. Oh well. We can't always win. Got a couple
of telephotos, using the Elbow Grip mentioned for the Leica 400mm lenses in some Leica manual. Don't know how steady it
will be.

Then to the sudy room for a while - I can't draw myself to do much lately - and got
me [sic] books out, and off to tea in the Meynell, and talking
with Paul about holiday arrangements.

Then off to the last double maths period this term, which pleased me considerably, and
nevertheless were doing quite a bit of work. I really must buck up my maths - otherwise I
am quite confident I am going to fail. Jimmy
set us some holiday work to do - I wonder how much of that I shall get done. I may,
however, take my maths notebooks with me, and at least attempt to get some work done.

Lot of people floating round the changing rooms while I was having my shower - Richard Moore
laughed his head off when he saw me having a shower in prep.

Did little in 2nd prep - returned science library books, and read a Science fiction book
Kenny lent me.

Ah, so near and yet so far! If only I could get it out of my mind that there are so few
days left this term. But, alas, I cannot. The thought of
seeing Lesley again dominates my mind.

Up comparatively early, in order to get hold of the AP, and discovered that there is a
competition on for Pentax owners - depicting sport, and the first prize is £350 worth of Pentax equipment. That would go a
long way at 84 North Bridge Road.

That was the address of the Nanyang Watch Company
in Singapore, but the street numbers
in North Bridge Road have changed since then. To the best of my recollection, it was
roughly opposite where
the Singapore National
Library now is.

After breakfast, showing this to Paul. Then off
to PE, and had weights and measures - 6'2¾" [1.899 m]. If can't call that
6'3", I should like to know why not.

For some reason, I had always aspired to be 6' 3" tall.

Then basketball - finished early.

After that, lecture, and TGW on about banks,
etc. At least what is saying lately is of practical use.

After that, music, and on with Die
Meistersinger. It is not nearly so exciting without the score (which I returned on
Saturday).

Then maths, and on with some curve tracing, which was quite easy. Chemistry
- Clod was in a frivolous mood, messing around
with bromine. Off to take some photos of
the Mod lang Lab for Tyson - quite amusing.

After lunch, no choir practice, and, as Tyson wanted
his prints quickly, I developed the Pan
F on which I had taken the first few shots, and while I was at it, Chaun came in and
made a damn nuisance of himself. I wish he would appreciate the fact that the Photographic
society, and, for that matter, the school or the world, does not exist solely for his
benefit.

Down to watch, and take a few photos of, the master's hockey match, decided that it was too
cold, and back up to the school, and had a shower, and played my flute and so on. I feel, for some
inexplicable reason, happy. Ah well. It's not my fault.

Then did a contact print of the shots I did of “Androcles” for Mrs. Pentney, who has been
clamouring for them for some time.

Roll call, after which down town, and to some place in Corporation St. past the library,
who make cheap caffeine tablets, and
bought 2/6d worth. That should keep me going on the long, cold nights when nobody will stop
to give me a lift.

Then back to school, and to Big School, where Tyson was
having a practice, and wanted me to imitate an owl on my sopranino recorder.
Unfortunately, it did not come off.

Then dancing lesson, and again the women did not turn up - slack of them. It does not look
as if there is any truth in the rumours floating round the Sheldon room that we would all
get by at the end of term.

Then prep, in which I got my trunk out, and started packing it.

2nd prep, music club concert, and some of it was very good. After that, down to the Bilge
labs, and drank much of Ricky's coffee.

Couple of letters from Gray's today - bills for phot soc and a separate bill for my CDC case
addressed to me - so no discount. Damn.

After breakfast, in which I was madly taking photos to finish off the HP3 I had in order to develop it for Tyson, saw the
same, who paid me 2/6 for the work and 2/6 for my pains - not bad.

Mechanics, and on with the Post-mortem - will we ever relax? This whole rhythm of life is
getting me down. I really must push myself if I expect to get anywhere.

Then study, in which I did more packing, and general tidying up, and got myself into a much
better position for this afternoon.

Then lecture, and it seems that TGW really had 3
more lectures to give, about
the balance of payments and
so on, and so he handed round a broadsheet and let us read that.

After break, first half of double Pad - and he also went
on with the post mortem. It is quite morbid.

Then to housemasters, after which over to Stoneleigh, and did a bit of unpacking clothes,
and general organisation.

After lunch, developing Tyson's film for him, and that
took me quite some time - until about 1330, or just a little after. Then over to
Stoneleigh, and discovered I would have to iron my own pants (for they were dirty), and then
got down to packing, and discovered that I did not really have much to do, and after going
over to Miss. Gills place with my non-reg clothes,
came back over. Chucked a lot of stuff into my trunk, and emptied my study place into my
case, and then over to Stoneleigh to have a shower, of which I felt in need.

A little further tidying up, then to the tuck shop,
where Paul told me that I had a lot of orders
for prints of “Androcles”, and when I went to the front hall, I confirmed this.

Then to the common room, and discovered they had already had the scob inspection, which
simplified things, although, as usual, Skiv had not
passed my scob.

Then roll call, after which up with allen to the darkroom, and did some prints
for Tyson, and then over to Stoneleigh yet again, to
write up my diary, and puzzle out how I was going to fit a litre into a 250 cc beaker, and
also how to write up my diary. [Added later, where there was space] Barrie Evans
objects to my yellow handkerchief.

A General Election took place today, and I had decided to support
the Liberal Party, whose
colour was yellow. I had managed to colour a white handkerchief yellow by
precipitating chrome yellow into
it. Presumably Barrie had different political leanings, or maybe he just thought it too
ostentatious.

Then the usual end of term farce, which this term included a service in chapel. I don't know
why people worry so much about how much food they get in the end of term feed - the holidays
are just round the corner.